Posts Tagged ‘mountain’

I am blessed to receive four weeks of vacation every year. Some of my colleagues take all four weeks at once. I can’t do that. I’m too much a creature of habit; of routine.

I usually take my vacation in blocks of two weeks…this year was no exception.

The first week I stayed with a friend and we did some day trips and worked around his house, getting some outdoor stuff done. The weather was grand and we enjoyed exploring somewhat close to home. The focus of that week was relaxing, unwinding and practicing Sabbath.

The second week I came home and challenged myself with a couple of hikes that were more difficult then I thought they’d be but learned a great deal about myself…I don’t have to walk all the way to the end to finish the hike. I can turn around when I’m ready and I’ve still accomplished something. I also did something I’ve been wanting to do for years, but was never able…I got two tattoos. I’ll write more about them in another post.

I was back to work for a week, which wasn’t quite enough time to get things back organized, cleaned out my home office and it’s now quite efficient, clean and bright. I love the space in there and working in it makes me very happy. It also means I can relax in the living space of the rectory to try and separate work and home.

The third and fourth weeks of vacation I flew to Ontario and drove a lot. I didn’t get to see everyone I wanted to see. Some of the trip felt like I was attending Old Home Week as I drove across parts of Ontario I’d not seen in two decades. I visited graves, places in which I’ve lived. Hiked trails that I’d hiked before and explored new areas that I’d always wanted to but never made time. The weather didn’t cooperate as much as I’d have liked it to, but it was still a good time away.

In reflecting on my vacation it was incredible. I spent a great deal of time in prayer and have re-established meditative prayer. I do this while walking and had forgotten how it makes my soul sing to pray while I walk or hike.

I’m practicing mindfulness in what I eat and in how I eat. I’m walking every single day without exception and walking to places in the community when I can.

I very much missed my standard transmission car when I was away as I was driving an automatic transmission for the first time in years. I kept forgetting to put it in park before I shut off the engine. Ugh.

I learned that home is where I am. It is not a far off destination. It is not a house, a parent, a partner. It is me. And that makes me very happy.

The mountains are home to me. I felt, at times, terribly homesick when I was back East. I wasn’t sure if it was homesickness for a place I once knew, but eventually I realised that I was homesick for Fernie. For the beautiful part of creation in which I now live.

As I drove home from Calgary I was giddy with the anticipation of seeing the mountains. Once I reached the Crowsnest Pass the smile on my face was broad and bright. Climbing into my own bed made me deliriously happy and having a shower in my own bathroom meant all was right with the small world in which I live.

It was wonderful to visit places and see people I’d not seen in a long time. And it was equally wonderful to put the key in lock and come home to my house. A place I’ve not lived for that long and yet I can’t imagine leaving. The Elk Valley is my home. The mountains are my home. They are a part of me as much as the air I breathe. May it always be so.

Christ is Risen! The Clergy are Dead!! So goes the tongue in cheek phrase to which most clergy can relate. Holy Week is a glorious week, a long week…and a hard week. There’s services to plan, bulletins to check, props to gather, homilies to write, prayers to say, visits to make, so many things that must be done in order for worship to come together…and yet, every year it does.

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. A completely stranger walked in off the street for our first service and worshipped with us. He exchanged handshakes with everyone when service was over, nodded to me and replied “Happy Easter” when I wished him “Happy Easter” and went back out into his day.

Our second service was joyous and vibrant and while many of our regular parishioners were not in attendance, it was a glorious celebration! I have a beautiful rainbow tie dye dress that I bought last summer and I decided to wear that on Easter Day. After worship and coffee hour I went to the grocery store and had some lunch. Then I walked to the Nursing Home for another service. It’s a lovely walk there and I carried a basket with palm crosses, white stones, my cell phone and house keys. Along the way I waved to every car I saw and said “Happy Easter” to everyone I met.

Most waved back or exchanged the greeting. One little boy asked if I was the Easter Bunny. I told him I wasn’t but I was delighted he thought I could be. I asked his parents if I could ask him for a hug. His Mum asked if he wanted to hug me and he did. It was precious.

Along the way there I met three sets of dogs and with permission, I got to pet all of them! It was a highlight. Especially a huge black lab/shepherd who was a strong leaner and gave me kisses.

I got to the Nursing Home and chatted with a couple of guys who don’t come to worship but like to sit outside the room and hear the preaching and singing. One of them told me I look like an Easter egg…which made me smile. We had a huge turn out of residents and we sang out hearts out. I brought palm crosses to remind them of the journey of Holy Week and white stones to remind them that even in our brokenness we are children of God, created in love and created to live in love.

On the way home I saw more dogs and chatted with a man who had been cleaning his lawn up from the winter gravel. We talked about the joys of working “only one day a week” and laughed at how quickly the community changes when ski season is over. I pet his dog on the way to the Nursing Home and again on the way home.

When I got home I called a friend and went to visit her. We watched the video of her dad’s funeral service and then went to the cemetery to pray together with him. The gates for the cemetery were locked, much to our annoyance. We walked in to where the grave is and sat at a rock for awhile. There was laughter and some tears and then I dropped her off at home.

I came home, got changed and made a simple supper. Then I relaxed, chatted with a friend online and thought about how incredibly blessed I am to live in this corner of God’s creation. Everywhere I walked yesterday I could see mountains. Yes, I was a walking billboard, but I have noticed quite often that when I walk and smile at folks they either smile back or are already smiling.

God is very much alive in this place. And even though our Easter Day service wasn’t bursting at the seams, we gathered and shared Alleluias, thoughts about the Easter Bunny, why church bells have to ring so long…and how very blessed we are with the gift of Jesus. We gathered and shared in Communion. We exchanged the peace together in ways we have for quite some time…and yet there was something different in the air…something innately hopeful and hope filled.

I made it. After six hours of driving today, through wind, snow, rain and sun we finally arrived. C, my Warden was here with keys and hugs. There were flowers with a card signed by the congregation.

It’s a beautiful day here…views from mountains from most every window. The living room window looks out over a brick wall from the building next door. Otherwise every window has a spectacular view.

Looking around the office, the boxes have arrived. They just need to be unpacked. There is food in the fridge, ice cream in the freezer, and tea bags on the counter.

There are two beds in the house that are made and ready to go. Everything I could need is here. Bed, dresser, bedside table…amazing.

This afternoon we took a walk around the downtown and need to decide somewhere to go to supper. Tomorrow will be spent unpacking, buying little things needed like a boot mat and a garbage can.

I can have a bath in my bathtub. Sleep in my new bed.

In my new home.

I’m home.

I went to the Church and checked out the worship space. I was overcome with emotion, shed a few tears, feeling like I am where God has called me to be. I showed my traveling companion the place and she shed a few tears as well. “This is where you need to be”. One of the stained glass windows behind the altar says “The Sower”. That’s what she feels I am called to be; what it is that I am going to do; what I am called to do here.

I’m exhausted, exhilarated and ready to go…but first I need to eat and then to sleep.